Parking lots, whether we like it or not, are a big part of our lives. Whether it's in front of a grocery store, the dentist, or a hotel, parking lots will be the first form of interaction a business will have with its customer, so it's important that they are well maintained, orderly, and not too tight. Not all parking lots, however, are created equal, so here are seven considerations to keep in mind before painting parking lot areas.
1) Choose
A Stencil
Parking
lot stencils are used for making arrows, handicap parking, reserved parking,
and no parking zones, among other symbols. Depending on the material the
stencil is made of, there can be a difference in the quality of the design.
Plastic and aluminum stencils are a good choice as they are strong and easy to
clean and store, which comes in handy if you plan on using the stencil more
than once. For example, stencils made of cardboard don't make as clean of an
edge and may allow the paint to get underneath the design. You also might want
to consider how thick you want the line striping and stencils to be, as this
will determine the aesthetic and spacing of the parking lot. More information
on stencils is available at Capitol
Barricade.
2) Pick
The Right Paint
The type
of paint is probably the most critical part of the parking lot decision-making
process. The first rule, and it's a pretty easy one to follow, is never, never,
never use regular paint. It's a waste of time and money and will last about as
long as it takes you to read this sentence. There's special water or
solvent-based paint for asphalt and concrete respectively, but which one is
better? That depends on where the parking lot is.
Solvent-based
paints should not be used in parking garages or indoor-spaces because they can
cause health problems. Because solvent-based paints are less environmentally
friendly than their water-based counterparts, they are banned in many states.
Water-based paints are less resilient against weathering and normal wear and
tear, but they are also cheaper and dry faster. Whichever paint you chose, be
sure that it's made specifically for asphalt or concert because there is a
difference.
3) How Often
Should Parking Lots Be Repainted?
The
standard rule is to repaint every eighteen to twenty-four months. This is
because weathering and normal wear and tear eventually chip away at the paint,
making it look shabby and run down. Winters are an especially damaging time for
parking lots. Snowplows damage the paint as they scrape away ice and snow, so
this variable is dependent on location and climate. Remember, parking lots are
the first thing a customer will see, so it's important that it's well-maintained.
Remember, curb appeal is a major deciding factor when a customer chooses to
either park his car or keep it moving.
4) Be
Aware Of The Local Law
Before
restriping, it's vital to check the local laws and regulations regarding which
paints are allowed and how many accessible parking spaces are required, as the
regulations vary from state to state. For example, according to ada.gov,
"Accessible parking spaces for cars have to have at least a
sixty-inch-wide access aisle located adjacent to the designated parking
space." Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in fines. Also,
certain paints are banned in some states, so you should double-check local laws
before purchasing supplies.
5) Have
All The Supplies Ahead Of Time
Painting
the parking lot yourself can end up saving you a lot of money, but not if you
don't have all the necessary supplies. No parking means no shopping, so if you
can't get the job done on time, that's more lost revenue out of your pocket.
Here's a checklist of supplies you'll need to successfully paint a parking lot
in one go:
· A sufficient amount of paint
· A roller or line stripper
· Stencils
· Grit
· Caution tape and cones
· Pylons
· Sealer
· Spray guns and tips
6) How
Many Parking Spaces
It may
come as a surprise that there is, depending on the type of building, a minimum
number of parking spaces required. There need to be enough parking spots for
employees and customers, and they must be painted to meet the area's municipal
code. A standard parking space is, on average, eight to ten feet in
width and eighteen to twenty feet in length, so the average parking lot fits
anywhere from thirty to fifty spaces. Angled parking takes up less space and,
therefore, allows more spots to be drawn into the parking lot, but it also
creates one-way traffic. Although some find one-way parking annoying, most
people enjoy the ease of parking as they don't require the driver to turn at a
right angle.
7) How
Much Does Repainting Cost?
On
average, it typically costs about four-hundred and seventy-five dollars to
paint a parking lot. The low end of that estimate is around three-hundred and
the high end is seven-hundred. If it's the first time painting the parking lot,
it's going to be on the higher end of the estimate, and the lower end if it
just needs a quick repainting. Most painting companies don't charge by the
square footage of the lot, but by how much paint they use in creating the lines
and images, so the more parking spaces and stencils used, the higher the rates
will be.
Conclusion
Unless
you're in the business of painting parking lots, it's likely you've never known
about how much goes into painting a parking lot. Hopefully, this article has
shed some light on all things that need to be considered before whipping out
that paintbrush. The most important of these considerations is making sure the
parking lot is up to code and adheres to local law. Although they can be
tedious, these laws are in place to protect employees and customers from
accidents and collisions and business owners from potential lawsuits. Remember,
parking lots should be repainted every eighteen to twenty-four months and cost
an average of four-hundred and seventy-five dollars. Good luck and happy
painting!
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